Farms, Forests & Food Systems

We focus on nature-based solutions that actively remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in healthy soil, because stopping fossil fuel emissions is not enough to restore ecosystem balance. Through a comprehensive strategy, that supports regenerative agriculture, forest protection, biodiversity and a healthy, just food system, we work in harmony with nature, to improve the health of the planet and all living beings. Click HERE for more info, meeting times, initiatives and to sign up for the email listserv.

The mission of the Climate Action Now Farming, Forests and Food Systems work group is to protect and heal the ecosystem by promoting the removal of carbon from the atmosphere and capturing it in healthy soil through supporting:

We are building a powerful coalition of farmers, consumers, scientists, forest ecologists, educators, youth and climate activists to:

Educate people about the connection between land use, climate change and public health;

Highlight the importance of working with natural systems to restore balance; and

Empower people to create an equitable and just food system with a focus on land use and regenerating soil in Western Massachusetts.

Click here to read more of our mission statement

Our goals and actions include:Connection, Support, and Collaboration-Build and support alliances among growers, consumers, forest ecologists and food justice advocates-Bring together subject experts to create a body of knowledge and inform our work-Build and support alliances with groups doing related work, bringing a strong climate action perspective Education through presentations, workshops, dialogue/forums, media, school curriculum, and gardening to:-Communicate the importance of terrestrial mitigation (carbon sequestration, land use) and biodiversity, in addition to transforming to a green renewable energy system for addressing climate change-Explain the impact of food choices on our climate and health; and how food consumption impacts the environment-Demonstrate the connection between: personal, public and planetary health;the health of all species, elements and life on earth; human, plant, animal, soil, water, air; andour interdependence and impact and how it relates to climate.Government Action and Legislation-Work with the CAN legislative committee and allied groups to support and create relevant legislation-Work with our representatives to include terrestrial mitigation, carbon sequestration, and regenerative agriculture (connecting climate action, land use and public health), especially towards the Green New Deal, and exploring Western MA’s role in smart land use and sequestering carbon-Collaborate with local committees and representatives on proposing and achieving goals connecting climate action, land use and public health Arts-Integrate arts to entertain and inspire while raising awareness, including through hosting special events

Here’s a 4-minute video that explains climate change and why healthy soils are so important to reversing it:

Thank you to Kiss the Ground for the amazing video!

More Kiss the Ground resources are on this Soil Science page–from videos to fact sheets–where they offer a wealth of sources on the power and science of soil.